Extracellular Matrix News Volume 11.13 | Apr 9 2020

TOP STORY

Soft Extracellular Matrix Enhances Inflammatory Activation of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells to Induce Monocyte Production and Trafficking

Researchers showed that soft ECM maximized the ability of mesenchymal stromal cells to produce paracrine factors that have been implicated in monocyte production and chemotaxis upon inflammatory stimulation by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα). Soft matrix increased clustering of TNF receptors, thereby enhancing NF-κB activation and downstream gene expression. [Sci Adv] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Targeting an Adenosine-Mediated “Don’t Eat Me Signal” Augments Anti-Lymphoma Immunity by Anti-CD20 Monoclonal Antibody

Scientists showed that extracellular adenosine, an abundant metabolite in the tumor microenvironment, critically impeded the therapeutic efficacy of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies against B-cell lymphoma. Using a syngeneic B-cell lymphoma model, they showed that host deficiency of adenosine 2A receptor (A2AR), but not A2BR, remarkably improved lymphoma control by anti-CD20 mAb therapy. [Leukemia] Abstract

Multi-Peptide Presentation and Hydrogel Mechanics Jointly Enhance Therapeutic Duo-Potential of Entrapped Stromal Cells

Investigators functionalized alginate with QK peptide to enhance proangiogenic factor secretion and RGD to promote adhesion, while biomechanical-mediated osteogenic cues were controlled by modulating viscoelastic properties of the alginate substrate. [Biomaterials] Abstract

Nanoclay-Based 3D Printed Scaffolds Promote Vascular Ingrowth Ex Vivo and Generate Bone Mineral Tissue In Vitro and In Vivo

The authors present the in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo investigation of bioprinted human bone marrow stromal cells (HBMSC) encapsulated in a nanoclay-based bioink to produce viable and functional 3D constructs. HBMSC-laden constructs remained viable over 21 days in vitro and immediately functional when conditioned with osteogenic media. [Biofabrication] Abstract

Oncogenic Linear Collagen VI of Invasive Breast Cancer Is Induced by CCL5

An in vitro analogue of the tumor border was created by a co-culture of MDA-MB-231 cells, adipose derived stem cells, and dermal fibroblasts. Decellularization of this co-culture after seven days revealed an ECM that was linear in fashion, high in pro-oncogenic collagen type VI, and able to promote invasion of reseeded cells. [J Clin Med] Full Article

Functionalization of Alginate with Extracellular Matrix Peptides Enhances Viability and Function of Encapsulated Porcine Islets

The authors recapitulated islet-ECM interactions by the direct functionalization of alginate with the ECM-derived peptides RGD, LRE, YIGSR, PDGEA, and PDSGR. Peptide functionalization was controlled in a concentration-dependent manner and its presentation was found to be homogeneous across the microcapsule environment. [Adv Healthc Mater] Abstract

Single-Cell RNA-Seq Highlights Heterogeneity in Human Primary Wharton’s Jelly Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells Cultured In Vitro

Scientists investigated the gene expression profile via single-cell RNA sequencing of human primary Wharton’s jelly-derived MSCs (WJMSCs) cultured in vitro from three donors. They isolated CD142⁺ and CD142⁻ WJMSCs based on scRNA-seq data and compared their proliferation capacity and “wound healing” potential in vitro. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

Mindin Deficiency Alleviates Renal Fibrosis through Inhibiting NF-κB and TGF-β/Smad Pathways

In vitro, mindin overexpression promoted p65-the hub subunit of the NF-κB signaling pathway-translocation from the cytoplasm into the nucleus, resulting in NF‐κB pathway activation in TGF-β-treated HK-2 cells. in vitro. [J Cell Mol Med] Full Article

Sprifermin (rhFGF18) versus Vehicle Induces a Biphasic Process of Extracellular Matrix Remodeling in Human Knee OA Articular Cartilage Ex Vivo

Researchers characterized the temporal ECM remodeling of human knee osteoarthritis (OA) articular cartilage in response to sprifermin treatment. Articular cartilage explants from patients with knee OA were cultured for 70 days, with permanent exposure to sprifermin. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Three Novel Variants Identified within ECM-Related Genes in Chinese Han Keratoconus Patients

Scientists investigated whether any mutation from ECM-related genes contributed to the patients with sporadic cases of keratoconus (KC) from Chinese Han population. 153 participants in total were enrolled in the study, including 53KC patients and one hundred healthy controls. [Sci Rep] Full Article

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3D Extracellular Matrix Mimics: Fundamental Concepts and Role of Materials Chemistry to Influence the Stem Cell Fate

The authors present the fundamentals of ECM, cover the chemical and structural features of the scaffolds used to generate ECM mimics, discuss the nature of the signaling biomolecules required and exploited to generate bioresponsive cell microenvironments able to induce a specific cell fate, and highlight the synthetic strategies involved to create functional 3D ECM mimics. [Biomacromolecules] Abstract

In Vitro Fabrication and Application of Engineered Vascular Hydrogels

Hydrogels have been thoroughly studied in this field due to their mechanical properties and tissue-like characteristics, including their water content, biocompatibility, and efficient transport of nutrients and metabolites; these characteristics make them applicable to vascular reconstruction. [Polymer J] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the extracellular matrix research field.

Yiviva Announces Dosing of First Patient in Phase IIb Study of First-Line YIV-906 Plus Sorafenib Combination Therapy in the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Yiviv announced that the first patient has been dosed in a Phase IIb study of YIV-906 in combination with sorafenib in the treatment of patients with hepatitis B-positive hepatocellular carcinoma. [Yiviv] Press Release

Bristol Myers Squibb Announces Acceptance of US and EU Regulatory Filings for Opdivo (Nivolumab) Plus Yervoy (Ipilimumab) Combined with Limited Chemotherapy in First-Line Lung Cancer

Bristol Myers Squibb announced that the FDA has accepted its supplemental Biologics License Application for Opdivo plus Yervoy, administered concomitantly with a limited course of chemotherapy, for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations. [Bristol Myers Squibb] Press Release

After Claims of Sex Bias, Scientific Leader at NIH’s Child Health Institute Withdraws from New Job

Constantine Stratakis, the geneticist who directed intramural science at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development for the past decade, withdrew today from a position he was slated to take in June as executive director and chief scientific officer of the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre in Montreal, Canada. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

President of Europe’s Premier Science Funder Resigns amid Criticism That He Neglected Post

The president of Europe’s most prestigious funding agency has resigned suddenly after only three months in the post – prompting fiery accusations from the organization’s governing body that he largely neglected his responsibilities. [Nature News] Editorial

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NEW PhD Studentship – 3D Bioprinting of Tissues (Uppsala University)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Regenerative Medicine (ShanghaiTech University)

Principle Investigator – Regenerative Medicine (Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health)

Faculty Member – Lung ECM Biology (NIH National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences)

Postdoctoral Researcher – ECM Remodeling in Breast Cancer (Institute of Cancer Research)

Department Head – Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics (University of Illinois College of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Myometrial ECM (University of Vermont)

Investigator – Single Cell Genomics (GlaxoSmithKline USA)

Researcher – Biomaterials Scientist (Aspect Biosystems)

Research Associate – Oncology (Zymeworks, Inc.)

Research Scientist – Tumor Microenvironment (Systimmune, Inc.)

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